Update on our initiative for orphans....Marnie

Dear All,
Our meeting this past Monday was productive and we have agreed on the following:

We are an informal "action" committee of nationals and internationals whose formation's only purpose is to request that existing commitments made by the government be implemented such as the National Plan of Action for Vulnerable Children. And that networks such as CPAN be alerted to our report that in the last 6 months of working in Alluhoddin Orphanage we have a very specific eye witness account of serious abuse, neglect and possible human rights violations that we want investigated by which ever organization is designated to do this.

In the last two days the deputy minister has responded to vice President Khalily's directive that the issues at Alluhoddin orphanage be corrected, much to my gratification. But PARSA is not an advocacy organization nor are we an appropriate oversight mechanism. We wish to see systems in place that address the issues we have encountered systemically so that there is a movement forward on this, and an authentic effort on the government part to care for these children. The people that joined the meeting are directors and Afghan community leaders who have an investment in fundamental change in the lives of Afghan children who are living in orphanages and who have direct experiences of the current problems with the lack of oversight.
Please feel free to attend our next meeting on Monday, April, 23rd, 10:00, PARSA offices at Maristoon. In this meeting we will finalyze plans to present a report to MOLSA /CPAN. Thank you.